davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-18
A Fish Story by Gen. Rosecrans.

Cen Rosecrans tells a wonderful
story about curiosity in the posses
sion of the Society Of California Pho
neers. It is a section of timber taken
from the side of the Powhatan, includ-
inc a portion Of the skin, which is four
inches thick, and piece of the abut
ting knee, which is nine inches thick.
Transversefy through the whole a
swordfsh has dashed his sword, and
the portion broken off is still embedded
in the timber. The sword pierced
through fourteen inches of solid oak,
and the fish was going i'll the same di-
rection as the vessel, which was under
a good head of steam. An idea of the
strength which must have been exerted
can be obtained from the fact that Il
rifed six-pounder could have not done
more than pierce that thickness of
wood. People on the vessel state that
they felt the shock caused by the blow,
and thought that they had struck
something floating beneath the surface.
The sword is over six inches wide at
the broadest point, where it is broken
off
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-18

"Will not Gomez shouted Umslopogaas
"where is the dog that says he will not
come when my father orders? Here thou
and with a single bound he sprang upon
the Wakwafi with whom Ihad first spoken
and, seizlng him by the arm, dragged him
toward u.s. ''Thou dogr' he said, giving
the terrified man a shake; "'didst thou say
that thou wouldst not go with my father:
Say 1T once more and / will choke thee
and his long fingers closed round his throat
as he said it-fSthee, and those with thee
Hast thou forgotten how [ served thy
brother?"
may; we will come w the white man, u
gasped the man.
"White manr' went on Umslopogaas, in
simulated fury, which a very little provo
cation would nave made real enough; T'of
whom speakest thou, insolent dog?"
"Nay; we will go with the great chief -
'So!" said Umslopogaas, in quiet voice,
as he suddenly released his hold, so that
the man fell backward. II thought you
would"
'That man Umslopogaas seems to have
o curious moral ascendency over his com
panions," Good afterward remarked,
thoughtfully
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-18
Fresh Mummies Dug Out.

The following are extracts from
| private letter of Rev. james S. Dennis,
ID. D., of Newark, now in Syria:
| The excavations and discoveries at
Sidon still continue with remarkable
| results. The number of sarcophagi at
present brought to light is eighteen,
| and some of them are most magniti-
cent, and will rank high among
archaeological treasures. They are of
enormous size, and the sculpture is
elaborate and in perfect preservation.
Upon one of them alone are eighteen
almost detached statues, about three
feet in height, without Il single scratch,
and of pure marble.
The most remarkable of them came
to light last week. 1t is an ancient
Phgnician sarcophagus, which had
never been opened, and contained a
mummy and large amount of iewelry
Of great value. The mummy, when
unrolled, was found to be the body of
man in middle life, and the state of
preservation was astonishing. The
features, and in fact the entire body,
were intact; the flesh was tender, and
yielded to pressure; and teeth, hair, and
viscera were all in place. Upon the
outside lid of the sarcophagus is an in
scription of seven and a half lines in
Egyptian hieroglyphics- The bi-lin-
quail inscription of such an ancient date
excites great expectations. We shall
have to wait to have it deciphered by
the savants before we can know the full
value of the statements it contains.
The sarcophagus is of black basalt such
as comes from Egypt, and it may have
been made in Egypt by order from
Sidon. The date of it is, of course, a
matter of conjecture as yet. 1T may
be anywhere from 800 to 1900 B. c.,
and even older. This strange being
who has been brought forth literally
from the tomb of the ages to face the
nineteenth century-who is he? What
if he should be Ethbaal, king of the
Zidonians" and father of Jezebel, OF
some older king who tlourished in the
earlier days of Great Zidon@' 1t IS
more than probable that he was royal
or princely character.
The value of this enormous find is
roughly estimated as approaching a
sum not far from 100000. One of the
European consuls in Beirut has offered
$25, 900 for one of the sarcophagi. It
was uOI dcctpted, anu JIG l. VI hloIl
government is boxing the entire lot,
and have sent a special steamer to
transport them to Constantinople.
The discovery of the sarcophagus of
Ashnunazer, in 1885, just outside of
Sidon, was regarded as an important
event. It also had Phonician in
scription of twenty-five lines, and
several interesting data were gathered
from it. This is a far more marvellous
and magnificent upturning of old
Sidonian remains,
The excavations still continue, and
other treasures may be brought to light
A government official-Hamdy Bey-
from Constantinople is experimenting
the operations. These are days OF
great archaeological wonders. Think
of the old Pharaohs on exhibition in
the Boulak museum IN Cairo.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-18

In most regions there is only q single
important center whence earthquakes
originate, and the safe places are stu
ated III what may be called earthquake
shadow Tor the prevalent vibrations.
For Just as high wall, hill. or rail
way cutting often completely cuts off
sounds by forming a sound-shadow. SO
ravlne or some arrangement of the
geological formation may afford earth
quake-shadow for peculiar places.
1t is not in general possible to pick
out the favorable sites by mere inspec-
ton, for the distribution of vibration is
often apparently capricious Thus
Milne tells us of a princely mansion at
Toxic (which has so great reputa-
ton for the severity of the shakings il
receives, that its marketable value has
been considerably deprecated, and it
is now untenanted."
In a town which is frequently shaken
there is no need to wait long to carry
out rough survey with seismographs.
and thus to obtain an idea of the rela-
tive shakiness of the various parts.
If such a survey is impossible, it is best
to avoid as the site for building Il loose
soil, such as gravel, resting on harder
strata. and the edge of scarp or bluff,
or the foot of similar eminences.-
Professor q. Il. Ddr70in az Popular
Science Monthlq
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-18
The .s0OrtSman's Music.

Under the above title w. j. Hender-
son contributes to the Century an
article on the calls of the various
game birds with their musical nota-
ton We quote as follows: ''Unfortu-
nately for the goose, it can be initiated
to perfection, and the unhappy birds
frequently meet their end by paying
too much heed to its deceptive notes.
One instance of peculiar interest has
come to the writer's knowledge. The
destrOyers in this case were Captain
Walter S. Green, of Life Saving Sta
ton No. 5, Long Branch, and Mr..
Bright. These two shooters live on
opposite sides Of a large pond, and
are ON the constant watch for birds of
any kind that may come in from the
sea to rest. Early one morning Mr..
Bright heard distant but vigorous
honking. He soon saw flock of
seven geese flying in toward the pond.
Quickly getting his gun and some
heavy cartridges, he fastened down to
the edge of the pond, keeping himself
hidden behind a heavy hedge. As
soon as he had selected his position,
he uttered a vigorous honk, to which
the leader of the incoming flock re-
sponded- Flying low, they sailed
majestically in over the opposite shore,
a hundred and fifty yards away from
Mr.. Bright. They were evidently
weary, and anxious to settle down in
the smooth waters of the pond. Sud-
denly out of the tall marsh grass on
the shore opposite Mr.. Bright, two
puHs of blue smoke and two booming
reports rolled out. The leader of the
flock folded his wings and fell to the
ground dead. Mr.. Bright then knew
for the first time that Captain Green
was at hand. The birds sweryed from
their course and flew toward Mr..
Bright, who easily killed the second
bird. Both he and Captain Green did
not cease honking, and the birds, after
going away to considerable distance,
sailed back again, passing over Mr..
Bright's head at some height. With
his heavy gun he killed two of them,
when they circled and swept across
the pond, where Captain Green killed
two more. The remaining bird, which
had been wounded by scattering shot,
made a hard struggle to rise to a safe
height. Captain Green hastily slipped
in cartridge and took a long SHOT.
A few feathers fell from the bird, and
he flew across the pond. Mr.. Bright
then got long shot at him, breaking
his wing and bringing him down"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-18

The conversation had turned upon
the RIGHTEOUSNESS of practical Joking,
says the Arkansaw Trareler, when a
Well-known business man said: Don't
speak of practical joking-don't make
the merest reference to anything of
the kind-for it makes me shudder.
You all know Beasley, the commercial
traveller. He is an exceedingly good
natured and prankish fellow, so much
given to mild joking that on one occa-
sion, only a few weeks ago, a party of
us decided TO play joke on him that
he would not be likely to forget. We
didn't know exactly how to proceed,
and were tangled up in those perplex-
ing intricacies which come of numer-
Gus suggestions, when plan suddenly
presented itself. Beasley, having re-
manned in Chicago several DAYS, de-
cided to 90 to st. Louis, where his wife
and little boy lived, stopping for day
at Bloomington to attend to several
customers whom he had at that place.
My plans were laid as soon as he made
known his intentions. but pretended
that | did not want him to 90.
i must, said he. i wrote to my
We several days ago, telling her to
address me at Bloomington, and, be-
sides, [ have business there that must
be attended to at once
That night we went to the railway
station with him, and when the train
had gone we hurried uptown and set
our plans in working order, which
were-diabolical, / admit have
Beasley arrested in Bloomington and
brought back on the morning train.
How we chuckled when the officer
assured us that the arrest should be
made, and how we gloated over the
fact that we would at last get even
with our friend.
HE won't know what in the world
to think of it, said Sam Mayfeld. I'D
like to see his expression of counte-
nance when the officers nab him, and
hear his indignant protestations'
"'He'l howl like a wounded ami
NAL remarked Joe Summers.
'''And do considerable squealine,
too. [ replied.
EARLY the next morning we hurried
to the station. Shortly after the train
rushed in, Mayfeld exclaimed:
They've got him! See, yonder they
Gomez
when the officers came up with the
prisoner we rushed forward and roared
with laughter, explaining that it was
all a joke. [ should have mentioned
before that we had brought along
man authorized to release Beasley
Oar friend, even after finding out that
it WAS all a joke, did not smile, or in
the least seem to be relieved. Indeed,
his face was deathly pale, and bore
such traces of intense suffering that /
was deeply stricken with remorse. He
sat down with despairing drop and
covered his face with his hands
'Beasley,' said l, approaching him,
you must forgive US, old fellow. Re-
member that you have played many
joke on us.
'''Not such an awful joke as this
he replied. just as the officers
arrested me the following telegram
from my wife was handed me-
He gave me the telegram, and,
with a feeling of horror creeping over
me, | turned to the boys and read as
follows;
''our little boy is dead. Hurry home.
MARY
NO." continued the narrator, ''you
must never ask me to go into a prac-
teal joke"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-18
Its Mum erOuS Advantages.

.sGintlemin," exclaimed an Emerald
Islander, who was holding forth to an
assemblage of men on the advantages
of belonging to a society of which he
was President: ''Gintlemin, couldn't
begin to tell We half the privileges APP
pertaining to membership in this
society, but I'll thry to tell We few.
First, when We are sick, it'll not be
pertaters an tay yell be gittin', hut
foine cuts of roast bafe an lashins of
the best whisky. Mkt, when We are
dead, Yell have such a foine funeral
that the folks on the sidewalk'll be
after askin'. wild their eyes stickin out
like Holsters .Shure who's in the
coffin?' An whin We are buried we'll
take such exsading gooo care OF your
wives and children that they'll all be
reioicin' greatly because they re wild
ders and orphans. Ha'per's Bazar.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-18
Earthquake and Architecture.

Architects should be able, by an
adherence to sound mechanical princi-
pies, to construct buildings which
should stand againstall but the seTerest
shocks, and much has already been
done in this way. Where a choice for
the site of an intended building is
possible, the most IMPORTANT consldera-
ton Is that it shoTld be where there has
been the greatest immunity from
vibration on previous occasions, Tor.
even within "A very small area. q fer
ent spots are very differently affected.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-18
ITO be continued.

''My dear DOCTOR" said Krupp, the dy
ing gun maker, to Bismark's physician
Schweniger, snake me live tee years
longer and I will gladly give you a mil
lion.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-12-15
The Prohibs Convention.

A goodly number of Prohibitionists
met in Temperance Hall Saturday, the
meeting of the Prohibition county con-
vention. The attendance was the larg-
est of any similar convention ever held
in the county, and great enthusiasm
was manifested. The meeting was call
ed to order of chairman E. H. Brosius,
of Alliance, at IL o'clock, and the work
commenced. Committees on res0lu-
tions and nomination of officers were
appointed, and the convention adjourn
ed until the afternoon. The afternoon
exercises were opened with prayer by
George N. webb, and the convention
was then entertained with recitatiOns
by the successful winners of medals in
the recent oratorical contests in Can
ton. The declaimers were Misses Eta
Snyder and Ethel Henderson, and
Harry Davenport and Harold Rockhill.
The committee on nominations then
reported, and officers for the coming
year elected as follows: President, w.
II. Miller, Secretary, Frank McMurray
Treasurer, 5. III. Rockhill, all of Canton.
The Executive Committee consists of
the officers and w. II. Hoover, of New
Berlin, j. X. Russell, of Massillon; Il.
III. Brosius, Of Alliance, and w. ID. Ref
man was also elected for each town
ship.
The time was then taken up with
speeches from different delegates, who
spoke encouragingly and seemed to
think the great necessity for Prohibi-
tionists was backbone.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-12-15
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
Laiblin Offers Resolution Which is
Passed by Party Vote.

=
The Board of Commissioners met
this morning and passed upon the fol-
lowing claims: Nicholas Perl for
planking bridge, $lS889; Haman Put
man for planking bridge 1926; Christian
Graber, stone work, $8; Thomas Click,
stone work at Navarro, $3.50; Repository
Printing Company, for printing Treas
urer's report, $6375; A. McGregOr &
Company, for printing, $175.25; Patrick
Stanton for grading, $500.
Mr. Laiblin then offered the following
resolution:
WHEREAS, The preceding Board, on
motion of Mr.. Schmachtenberger, on
January l, 1887, adopted a preamble
and resolution which is still in full
force and effect and unrepealed, therein
reciting the then dilapidated and unfit
condition of our county lnfirmary build
ings, to meet the public requirements
as public and charitable institution
of this county; that the present build
ings should be abandoned, torn down
and replaced with new ones, and de-
claring the purpose and necessity of
speedily taking such necessary legal
and preliminary steps as would author
ize the issue and sale of interest bearing
bonds of this county in amount suffi-
cient to provide money and means to
pay therefor; and,
WHEREAS, Since the adoption of such
resolution of January 81, 1887, that same
Board ordered paid and expended upon
the present Intirmary buildings, money
for the purpose of improving, renovat-
ing and repairing the same, and there
by put them in condition to meet all
the public necessities for the present
and some time to come; and whereas,
this Board, from actual and official in
vestigation made by them, and from
inspection of the official report filed by
the last visiting committee appointed
by the Common Pleas Court at its pres
ent term, is satisfied that such build
| ings as since made and repaired as
aforesaid, are in condition to afford all
the necessary accommodations to meet
the exigencies of the present and for
some years to come; that the replace
ment of the old with the new buildings
contemplated by the plans being made
therefor, would cost well on to $780, 600
that the county is now indebted to the
amount Of at least So 900; and whereas
it is the judgment of the members OF
this Board that the interests of the pub
lie and our taxpayers do not now re
quire such undertaking and increased
taxation, and will not probably for the
next six or eight years to come; there
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That it is the sense o.
this Board that the carrying out ant
execution of said resolution, adopted
January 81, 1887, and recorded on pag'
LAT of the Commissioners Journal o.
Stark county, Ohio, as contemplated
therein at this time and under thu
changed circumstances above recited
the same would be unwise and agains
the public interests; and resolved fur
ther, that the same be and hereby is re
pealed, rescinded and set aside upon tn,
| adoption of this resolution.
The resolution was adopted, Laiblil
and Wearstler voting for it, and Smitl
against it.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-12-15
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
And Their Infirmary Chestnut Again
Shown Up.

Shown Up.
The Rep. in last nights edition re-
hashed their old chestnut about the
County Commissioners trying to build
an Intirmary without the taxpayers
knowing it.
1t is evident to all that they and
their demagogue-C. F. Laiblin-are
working for the purpose of deceiving
the voters of Stark county now as they
have tried to do in the past.
What proof or reason have they for
asserting that the Commissioners we're
working scheme to build an Infirmary
without the taxpayers knowing it?
What did Shetlar, Smith and Schmach-
tenberger do that the Rep. should
charge them with dishonestyr Only
this. When they were ordered by the
court to erect building for the insane,
they had drawings and specifications
prepared for an Infirmary, of which
this insane building should form part.
This was wise and economical legisla-
ton, for by this means the insane
building was so arranged, located and
built, that, when the balance
of the institution is built, no
money will be lost in remodeling
the insane building to suit the require
ments of properly arranged institu-
ton. This is all the Democratic Com
missioners did to give the Rep cause to
howl and hollow about corrupt schemes.
They did not propose to build an Infir-
mary to cost $150,000 and throw the old
one away, as the Rep. seems to think;
they simply prepared the way, so that
when the new buildings were built they
would properly connect with the build
ing already up. The time for building
part of the balance Of the building is
now at hand, and demagogue Laiblin
knows it, the Rep. knows it, and
Wearstler ought to know it.
DemagOgue Laiblin short time be-
fore Schmachtenberger offered his res
olutiOn to submit to the people the
question of building an Infirmary, in
troduced a resolution to the same effect,
but said resolution had no preamble,
and for that reason was lost; then
Schmachtenberger introduced his reso-
luton with preambles; and then it was
that Mr.. DemagOgue voted YES on the
resolution and NO on the preamble. And
now, after introducing resolution
himself and voting YES on Schmach-
tenberger's, he introduces another in
which he, with his "man Friday" upset
the work done by an honest Board of
Commissioners.
The Rep. claimed to favor an Infirm-
ary, and seemed rejoiced because it was
to be submitted to a vote; and now
they uphold this miserable demagogue,
whom they have published liar, in his
scheming and maneuvering for re-nomi
nation for Commissioner.
The DEMOCRAT, during the campaign
of 1886, met the Repository and its
Laiblin, Infirmary falsehoods, and ex-
posed them so fully and completely that
Commissioner Smith was reelected by
some 800 majority. The sneaks and
their game did not then succeed.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-12-15

Wixon gave bail for his appearance be-
fore court, and Immediately filed an af
fidavit against Ravenstine. John
Smith, an uncle of Ravenstine, went on
the latter's bail in the sum of $500, and
Ravenstine was released. He was to
have had hearing before Mayor Blake
this morning, but, evidently deeming
discretion the better part of valor, he
skipped his bond, and his whereabouts
are at present unknown.
When his case was called this morn
ing, of course nothing could be done.
Smith, his bondsman, will in cOnse-
quence have to whack up his $500.
Mr. Wixon is therefore free from all
suspicion of guilt, as everybody is sat
isfied that Ravenstine not only stole
the harness but also attempted to throw
the blame upon perfectly innocent
man by committing perjury.
Ravenstine is evidently a very
smooth person, but if Mayor Blake gets
chance to deal with him he will make
it very warm for him.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-12-15

registered the notice that he would be
detained in taking on two sand cars in
the northeastern part of the city. Soon
after extra freight No. 80 came aloug
and conductor George Ramsey, seeing
the order from No. 80, ran along slowly.
In few minutes through freight No SO
pulled in. Conductor S. Miller also saw
the notice, but says he thought it was
only for Ramsey and let his train out
about twenty-five miles an hour.
About mile out from the depot No.
So overlook extra 80 and shocking
tail end collision occurred. Engineer
Mike Cassidy, of No. SO, reversed his
engine and hen with his fireman, John
McNemanny, jumped, striking upon a
rocky place ON high embankment.
The latter was badly bruised but not
seriously hurt, while Cassidy was so
terribly shaken up that he vomited.
He was also seriously bruised, and it is
feared was internally injured. He was
carried to house near by. Mike
Kiehl, brakeman, of Gallon, was hurled
over a thirty foot embankment. His
left leg was crushed and he received a
frightful wound on the forehead be-
sides numerous other cuts and bruises.
The engine of No. 86 was knocked into
pile of scrap iron and distributed by
the side of the track. A caboose and
one freight car were hurled over a
twenty foot embankment and lay across
the track Of the Cleveland, Akron &
Columbus road. at least a dozen other
cars, several loaded with Ar
mOur meat, were completely wrecked
The night was very dark and the spec
tacle presented a shocking sight. The
cars took fire and the city fire depart
ment was called out, and one detach-
ment made run and put out the fire
saving much property. The loss is put
at S25, 900.